Monday, November 25, 2013

Good morning everyone! The sun is shining today and we have snow everywhere. Ah, the joy of living up north...BRR! On the upside we did manage to get out and walk around with my camera (Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3KK) before the snow hit. One thing I will say having snow one day then 70 degree weather in the next day is so weird. I just never get used to the drastic climate changes. I do however love the back drop of the seasons though! We ventured out a pathway in down town and I thought I would share some photos.

"Soft" focus. My four year old had finally gotten to the excitement of photographs. For years ok maybe just the last year or so he would dodge the camera whenever I pulled it out.

Now he squeals and asked to be photographed. What do you think?

These are both "black focus". I love walking around and fining new places to capture through my lens. I know my son is the main focus in these but the backdrop is so appealing.

Then we stumbled upon "graffiti", which by definition is art.

After explaining what it was to him he loved it.

If I had a spray bottle and it were legal, I might have let him try it out.

What do you think of street art?

Does anyone else find them to be great backdrops?

I love the colors and contrast with him and when I showed him these photos he wanted to go back and shoot some more.

Maybe the next time we visit this area it will be covered in glistening snow.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Today I decided to bring you around the town of Jamestown, NY and show you some more artwork on buildings. These are all theme around the center of this towns attraction an actress who grew up here Lucy Ball. These paintings are located on some of the city buildings in the town and surrounding as a tribute. These two above are located on the Jamestown NY post office and across from a local restaurant, Taco Hut.

This particular shot is located downtown Jamestown NY between some local businesses. Does anyone remember these scenes from the "I love Lucy" show?

This was just recently painted and I thought I should capture it's beauty!

Every year the city holds a "Lucy Festival". "Lucille Ball worked with the Arts Council in Jamestown to develop a comedy festival and comedy film festival in her hometown in the late 1980s". She was supposed to attend but passed before she could. Each year it is hosted and thousands of people come, watch the parade and visit local events.

Last but not least is the painting that was just completed. This one is HUGE and can be seen from the new bridge I just photographed here. Through this walk through a lens around our town I have saw a different side of Jamestown. This place really has some great photos and sights to see.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

I don't know about you but come Fall/Winter Mac and I get "Cabin Fever"! We just become stir crazy and need to get out! I was sure others suffer from the same things and thought to myself how many kids now a days do actually go outside? Think about videos games, computers and TV. Is playing outside even "cool" anymore? So I took to the internet, Ha, and found some interesting statistics I thought I would share with you. " 64% of kids today play outside less than once a week, or were one of the 28% who haven't been on a country walk in the last year! Then I read:21% who've never been to a farm and the 20% who have never once climbed a tree. These are some of my favorite memories as a child growing up with my brother. I can'[t even believe what children have NOT experienced now a days. Just mind boggling. So, we bundled Mac up and we headed outside to a ready made pile of leaves! Although now the ground is completely covered with snow, EEK!

"Unstructured play in the outdoors helps with problem-solving skills, focus and self-discipline. Socially, it improves cooperation, flexibility, and self-awareness. Emotional benefits include reduced aggression and increased happiness". Which I have to say after also jumping into the leaves I started to feel flexible and full of energy and excitement too. It was FUN to laugh and just well PLAY!

Leaves are cheap, free and oh so much Fun! "Children will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play in the out-of-doors," concluded one authoritative study published by the American Medical Association in 2005. I don't know about you but I would like a smart well rounded kid.

I encourage you, even after a long day at work, to let your children out and play. If you are feeling extra spunky why not join? All of the positives children gain from outdoor play you can as well! I sure feel more freed and less stressed after a good outdoor activity.

Only thing I will say is, you will be picking leaves out of your hair.

Unless of course you don't have long hair like me or you are smart and wear a hat.

I saw this on a creative site (maybe Pinterest) and though hey that looks so cute.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

**Cookshack sent us this product to review all opinions are humbly our own!

Today I am going to share a little different Recipe. We decided to use a "Cookshack" product that was sent to us. After using this Rib Rub we all agreed this was some of the BEST ribs! They didn't pay us to say that this is purely all of our collective opinions.

Now before you use a rub and rub I like to slice the ribs or meat * what ever you are adding rub to) with a knife. This will help the spices in the rub to adhere to something. Then I dipped vegetable oil all over the ribs. Kind of messy but the flavor turn out is worth this extra step!

Then shake the rib rub on. This was the fun step so we let Mac go ahead and dig in. I love showing him how to prep and cook in general. He isn't old enough to cook on the stove so preparing the food is just as fun and educational. We turn music on (Lindsey Stirling is our favorite right now) & cook!

Rub the Rib Rub in with your hands. Now you can use gloves but I always do it with clean washed hands. Your preference really. I like to really get the rib into every nock and cranny! Then place in your oven for 30 minutes at 360. They should have a nice browned color when done and check to make sure they are not pink inside!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl, then set aside.

In another bowl mix the melted butter with the sugars until smooth. Beat in egg, vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually blend in flour mixture, them coconut. I sprayed a cookie sheet and poured this out to make chewy bars. Now I looked up several recipes and just picked and choose ingredients but they all said their recipes make 3 dozen. HA! This made about 13 bars!

Monday, November 4, 2013

Ever have one of those mornings where something just spoils your mood? I swear everything was going great, I woke up feeling refreshed, got things around the house accomplished and then "WAMP"! The reasons for my instant gloomy mood really don't matter except that I let it get to me. Yes, I allowed this to put me in a mood and I just couldn't shake it. Ever feel like this? What do you do to get yourself out of a "funk"? I decided to take out my new camera (Panasonic Lumix) and take photos! To be honest this coupled with meeting a friend for lunch turned my WHOLE day back around! Funny how simple pleasures have such a big impact on us both positively and negatively.

As you can see when I first pulled out my camera I was in a real gloomy place. This photo I feel captures it best. Granted I did shoot quite a few. I drive past this field on my way to church every week and I think " I should photograph" that. It in my opinion is the "forsaken" field. I don't know why I call it that but it just seems to suite it!

This field is located on a main road, running from New York to Pennsylvania. This happens to also be rather "photogenic" in my eyes. Often, I see one side of the road cloudy, dark while the other side is blue sky and sunny. I am not sure why but it makes for a great back drop...

if you wait for the cars to pass.

Then I headed into town and stopped at an industrial site I like to photograph. I found this beauty. I was so excited I decided to bundle Mac up and bring him out tomorrow in hopes it's still here. He would just LOVE to see this! I couldn't believe it was parked back there.

So I went around and took a few shots. Why not?

After a good hour or so my feelings of gloom had subsided. I called a friend and we met for lunch. I know we make the choice to let things bother us and only we can truly cheer ourselves up. I am grateful I know the hobbies and things that help with moods like these. I also am glad for my friends who are loyal and true. You may not hear me say it but I appreciate you. Often they tell me how they feel even when I won't always like what they say. They listen, advise and ask me if they are questioning something. Not many people will do that, they would rather walk away then learn the truth. They will sugar coat things or want you too rather then face the music! So I encourage you, if you are gloomy go out and spend some "you time" it really works and is rewarding!﻿